Bubba Watson returns to Augusta as he attempts to win his third green jacket in four years, while world no.1 Rory McIlroy is searching for a career grand slam.

The likes of Jordan Spieth and Jason Day will provide stiff competition to the two men mentioned above, but it’s the return of Tiger Woods that will no doubt dominate the headlines.

THE CONTENDERS

BUBBA WATSON: The world no.3 returns to Augusta to defend his crown and it’s hard to back against him. Augusta suits Watson’s power-hitting game and it would be no surprise to see him register yet another Masters title.

RORY MCILROY: The Northern Irishman is going after a career grand slam this weekend and join the likes of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus in claiming golf’s most sought-after crown. Can he finally do it at Augusta? Pressure’s on…

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Johnson missed a lot of golf in 2014, but there’s no doubt he’s still a dangerman. He took a six-month leave of absence last year but he return has seen him play as well as ever, and he seems to do well at Augusta. He’s played well in patches at the famed course, but if he can put four rounds together it would be no surprise to see him wearing the green jacket.

JORDAN SPIETH: The 21-year-old American is hitting the ball as well as anyone on the PGA Tour at the moment and will be backing himself to win his first ever major. In his last three tournaments, Spieth has one win and two runner-up finishes. He finished tied for second at Augusta last year, and there’s no reason why the prodigious talent could not go one better in 2015.

JASON DAY: The 27-year-old Australian holds two top-three finishes to his name at Augusta and will be looking to make a major breakthrough in 2015. Day has been relatively quiet since his Farmers Insurance Open win, but there’s no doubt he has the talent to take out a win at the Masters.

ADAM SCOTT: The 2013 Masters winner will no doubt be competitive yet again in 2015. He certainly isn’t in the form that saw him take out the title two years ago, but you simply cannot question his talent.

THE ONES TO WATCH

TIGER WOODS: There’s no way Woods will win at Augusta this time around, but it will be interesting to see how he performs following his absence of leave. He may not even make the cut, but there were signs of a strong return after he put in a solid practice round on Tuesday.

VICTOR DUBUISSON: The Frenchman’s consistent putting could put him in the frame for a solid finish at the Masters, although there’s no doubt he is an outside chance. His chipping game is superb, too.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: The world no.17 won the Memorial in Houston last year, a course that certainly has its similarities to Augusta. He’s not amongst the favourites, but it would not be a surprise to see him fighting with the top players in the final round.

PHIL MICKELSON: He’s not what he once was, but Mickelson still has the quality to produce what would be a major upset. The world no.22 has won at Augusta twice however, and experience is a major factor at one of the biggest events on the golfing calendar.